Less than three months after a serious crash which looked like threatening his speedway career, Billy Hamill returns to action for Oxford Silver Machine tonight.

The Californian star takes his place in a much-changed Oxford line-up for their Elite League clash against Arena Essex at Oxford Stadium (7.45pm).

The popular American suffered three broken ribs, a punctured lung and five cracked vertebrae in Oxford's match against Swindon on March 24.

Hamill bounced back at Wolverhampton on Monday, when he scored three wins and a second to reach the final of the Midland Open, and is raring to go for his return to league action.

He said: "It was an awesome night and better than I expected. I feel really positive now and it was a good confidence-booster."

Silver Machine fans will see the 16th rider this season to put pen to paper tonight as new signing Renat Gufarov makes his debut.

The Russian's visa was only secured late yesterday and he immediately jumped on a plane for the UK.

His signing means that Stefan Andersson and Jesper Jensen have been released. Two clubs are already chasing Jensen who has hit good form lately.

Meanwhile, Greg Hancock's wrist injury is not as bad as first thought.

The Oxford captain scored nine points for his Swedish League side on Tuesday night and will go off the No 1 berth tonight - probably with a new partner in Gufarov.

One man missing will be Tomasz Bajerski, who has to ride in a Polish qualifier, so either Chris Mills or Jamie Courtney will occupy the No 7 spot.

It has been a traumatic week for promoter Nigel Wagstaff.

He submitted his new line-up to the British Speedway Promoters Association for ratification on Monday and by late yesterday had no news as to whether the team had been confirmed.

At one stage yesterday, he was seriously considering calling off tonight's clash.

As it stands, he would only be able to track four or possibly five riders with no Hamill, Gufarov or Bajerski available.

Mark Loram, back after a long spell on the sidelines with a serious hand injury, leads the Hammers who are one place above Oxford in the table.

Oxford: Hancock, Gufarov, Iversen, McGowan, Hamill, Gustafsson, Mills or Courtney.

Arena Essex: Havelock, Hurry, Darkin, Lanham, Loram, Larsen, Povazhny.